CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced August 8 that a California man pleaded guilty to firing a semi-automatic rifle at an Orange County Sheriff’s helicopter last year from a second-story window at his home.

Justin Derek Jennings, 40, of Laguna Niguel, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to damage a U.S. aircraft.

Per his plea, on March 9, 2024, Jennings fired a semi-automatic rifle from his second-story window at an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter.

Court documents state Jennings and his family were celebrating his birthday that day. Jennings had been drinking and became angry. As anger grew, family members in attendance left the home.

After most of his family left, Jennings took a rifle from his gun safe and fired a full magazine inside the home. Jennings’ family fled and reported the incident to police.

Jennings fired at the helicopter

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded with deputies and a police helicopter. Jennings went to his second-story and fired a rifle at the helicopter when it was visible.

The shooting continued intermittently for at least 20 minutes. After speaking with a deputy, Jennings surrendered.

Law enforcement seized two revolvers, two handguns, two rifles, and ammunition during a search of Jennings’ home.

Bullet casings covered the floor, and officers seized two magazines and a box of ammunition from a couch under the window Jennings fired from.

Faces up to 20 years in prison

U.S. District judge John W. Holcomb set Jennings’ sentencing for January 30, 2026, where he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office charged Jennings but dismissed the case to allow the federal case to proceed.

The FBI and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

RELATED: California felon charged with hiding record to get $800,000 in COVID funds